New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-30
SEVEN FIRE BUGS CAPTURED.
ALL OF THEM Ex-vOLUNTEER FIREMEN.

PLAINFIELD UNDER REIGN OF TERROR FoH
THREE YrARs-soME OF THE LOSSES.
Plaineld has sensation in the arrest OF seven cti
zens charged with incendarsm running through three
years. Week after week from to three buildings
have been burned here until reign OF terror up
driving many people other cities and keeping those
who stayed behind in constant fear of being burnt out
any night Up TO last Sunday morning the police seemed
TO I've tterly unable TO find trace OF the fire bugs and
the credit of enrapping the gang OF ncendares fell al
last to amateur detective, Edwin ]. Murphy.
purse 900 has been subscribed for him already and
the grateful townsmen talking OF raising more.
The story OF the capture OF the leader of the
John Jackson while engaged in the very act OF setting
fire to house together with his subsequent revelations
to Murphy, who he supposed was an accompIce, form
an interesting tale Chief OF Police Dodd has had the
gang under surveillance for several months but for lack
of proof has made arrests He has been ably assisted
I'm his work by Patroman Lynch The constant watch
ing of the gang night finally resulted in the chiefs
illness and about three weeks he went to Ireland
trip. and left Lynch IN charge As was expected the
gang emboldened by success aud With the depart
ure of the Chief fires became more frequent
Murphy came TO Plainheld about eight months ago ana
months ago Chief Dodd asked Murphy's aid to get in
with the gang The matter was kept profound secret
50 well did Murphy play his part ina; the other members
of the tOughs OF the city.
gang and soon had all the copspirators numbered.
ON Saturday night he net by Jackson. who asked
him 10 20 along WIN nm 10 set Hrc 10 mousse ou
scventh-st. valued at $4,000. Murphy says he once
again tried 10 induce Jackson who Is OF good family ana
But Jackson twited him for his and
accused him or being coward Murphy was convinced
and the gang If possible He said he would go and make
appointment at ~ O'Clock at Second and Elm sts He
Carey, Of the Police Committee
The Councilman and Lynch and John Moore OF the
City Hot~ hurried 10 the spot indicated and lay In walt
for developments Before long Jackson and Murphy
peared and Jackson gathered some paper entered the
hnp xfhf II w MI
more draight the door was left open. As the two
started away Jackson felt the cold steel OF officer
Lynchs revolver against his cheek and found that he
was under arrest Jackson was frghteaed nearly TO
death ana Exclaimed feeoy done 40 ,op car.v
and the couple we're taken TO the station House where
him into such a x gave away the names OF number OF
other conspirators, chiefly members Of the fire depart
ment
There much excitement and rejoicing in town yes
terday at the announcement that the "hre bugs had
been captured and safely lodged in Jail Crowds OF peo
pie loer ed about the jail during the day expecting TO
get glimpse OF the seven prisoners George Reed John
and Theodore and Philip b. Hapenny. all members OF
the Plalnaed Volunteer Fire department Hapenny is IS
lowed to sec the prisoners. not even their wives and %
begging In vain to 6o admitted to the cells
OF tho prisoners In the pas, two years
to August 90 1887 fory.four ncendary fires occurred
in rlanhed. the aggregate loss being about 800 OOo
residence on February o. 1885. loss $4,000 Warning
stslle's barn May loss $4,000; samuel C. Aleu- barn.
September ~. 1885, loss rl.OOO.
The last incendlary re the burning OF barn De-
longing Isaac p. Brown. which occurred August
o. and caused loss OF 81 300 Il the second time
Browns barn had been set fro Other arrests are e1
pected and thought Murphys identity win not be
disclosed until all tho persons wanted In jail Tho
penalty for In NewJer'sy Is fifteen years I'm
prisonment and s.. 600 fine or both.
The police force will b" doubled to night TO protect tho
arrested from attack from the excited per
sons thronglng about the jail All the men arrested are
married ami have families Il Is believed that
the noIyes OF the 10 ate more demand Tor
special wachmen, aud OF those who belonged 10 the
Volunteer Fire department. TO bring that service into
dsrepute and thus abolish IL To make place for paid
department. In which they would secure enploym
The Volunteer Department has received bad blow by
these disclosures corporation Counsel Marsh was IN
sultaon with County Prosecutor Wilson this alter
aud the hearing adjourned until this morning